When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To liaise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to liaise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to liaise with the marketing team to coordinate our efforts.
Liaising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "liaising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Liaising with different departments is essential for effective collaboration.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To liaise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To liaise is an important skill for project managers.
To liaise is an important skill for project managers.
- "*To liaise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for project managers).
- 2Object
She wants me to liaise with the clients.
She wants me to liaise with the clients.
- "Me *to liaise* with the clients" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to liaise* with the clients).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a dedicated person to liaise between departments.
We need a dedicated person to liaise between departments.
- "*To liaise* between departments" modifies the noun "person."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dedicated person *to liaise* between departments).
Liaising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Liaising with stakeholders requires excellent communication skills.
Liaising with stakeholders requires excellent communication skills.
- "*Liaising*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (excellent communication skills).
- 2Object
I enjoy liaising with clients to understand their needs.
I enjoy liaising with clients to understand their needs.
- "*Liaising* with clients" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*liaising* with clients).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has experience in liaising between different departments.
She has experience in liaising between different departments.
- "In *liaising* between different departments" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *liaising* between different departments).
Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects
The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects
Example
They plan to liaise with external stakeholders for the project.
I hope to liaise with the design team for the new website.
He wants to liaise with the finance department for budget approval.
We decided to liaise with the legal team for contract review.
They agreed to liaise with the IT department for technical support.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys liaising with cross-functional teams for project coordination.
They recommend regular liaising with stakeholders for successful outcomes.
I dislike the idea of liaising with difficult clients.
She avoids liaising with uncooperative team members.
Can you imagine yourself liaising with international partners?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We would like to liaise with the HR department. We would like liaising with the HR department.
He started to liaise with external vendors. He started liaising with external vendors.
She began to liaise with the sales team. She began liaising with the sales team.
